Clubs body says second Coast casino will cause ‘carnage’

CLUBS Queensland is calling it a “casino rain shadow” – an economic storm that threatens community groups within a certain distance of a second Gold Coast casino.

It says research shows 330 community clubs will be affected by the proposed global tourism hub (GTH) along with The Star Gold Coast and Queens Wharf in Brisbane, stretching south to Currumbin and west to the Scenic Rim.

Cabinet could decide as early as Monday whether to go to market on a Coast GTH, which would see intense bidding for a casino and resort.

All Gold Coast MPs will be provided with the research, which shows more than 330 clubs would be economically affected by a second casino.

“The carnage will be real and it will be widespread,” Clubs Queensland CEO Doug Flockhart said.

“Australian casinos achieve 70 per cent of their revenue from the local community, and actively target an area of 100km or roughly a two-hour drive distance from their venues for marketing activities.”

Several Labor ministers believe the Coast needs new tourist infrastructure to attract overseas visitors but Mr Flockhart rejects suggestions that Australian casinos were massive international or even interstate “tourist” cash cows.

“They earn money from the locals and will be aggressively marketing to anyone who can get in a car and drive. We have had town planners accurately map this radius of 100km around each casino zone in the southeast and the area that will be covered by what we call the casino rain shadow is most of southeast Queensland.’’

Tourism Minister Kate Jones has welcomed the Star Entertainment Group announcing a $2 billion master plan development of its existing Broadbeach operation.

Government insiders suggest a second Gold Coast casino as part of a $1 billion integrated resort could deliver a windfall of $350 million in new public facilities, including a ferry terminal, a boutique stadium, an amphitheatre and a much-needed upgraded convention centre.